NowITWorks.net

It was recently announced that plans are in place by the FCC to update the technology that communicates with the 911 emergency response system.

The plan will allow 911 to accept transmission of text messages, voice calls, videos and photos. Also, automatic location information will be able to be obtained from calls.

According to the FCC press release, the official project name is Next Generation 911 (NG911) and this is the five step plan:

1. Develop location accuracy mechanisms for NG911

5. Develop an NG911 funding model

What do you think about the new developments to the 911 emergency response system?

• A month after launch, Google + has some believing that it has real staying power (Wired)

• New technology that can’t end well – a CarZor Razor that fits in your wallet (Geekologie)

• As the beginning of the school year rapidly approaches, here is a great video to help you save money on back to school computing (CNN Tech)

• For the geeks out there – here are the Top 10 Favorite Geek Movie Quotes – enjoy! (Huffington Post)

If you are like most people and just can’t seem to get moving in the mornings, check out these tech gadgets that might just change your mind…

1. Dumbbell Alarm Clock – in order to shut this clock off, you’ll need to do a predetermined number of reps. Get your exercise out of the way and then snooze an extra couple of minutes.

2. Pillow Tie – look good and catch some comfortable zzz’s at your desk!

Check out the full list from MSNBC Gadget Box here.

Facebook recently announced that they will offer an option in the “Friends and Family” section (under Edit Profile) that allows users to choose “Expected: Child”, along with listing a due date and name, if already decided.

It’s been speculated that the option was introduced to cut back on the amount of parents-to-be who create separate pages for their impending bundles of joy. It is technically against Facebook rules and regulations to have a page if you are under the age of 13.

Be careful not to change your status to “Expected: Child” if you have friends who will be offended to find out this way or if you are friends with your co-workers and haven’t let your boss know your maternity plans yet.

• Google displaying warnings for users with Malware infections (CNN Money)

• You may not need any of these tech tools but isn’t it good to know they exist? (CNN Tech)

• Fake Apple store pops up in China (Geeks are Sexy)

• Here is a list that may come in handy for me in particular! A tech checklist for new baby (Today – Digital Life)

• Time poses this interesting question – is a bookless library still a library?

• Have you joined Google + yet? CNN Tech discusses some of the growing pains thus far…

• A possibly unnecessary technology creation – a wearable LED television, thanks to Geekologie.

• There is a new TED app available – receiving high praise thus far from Tech News World

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

• Thinking about switching your cell phone service to Verizon? Hurry up, as they will be ending unlimited data plans soon (CNN Money)

• DropBox breach in security – left user accounts open for 4 hours on Sunday (Wired)

• Firefox 5 is now available for download… (PC Mag)

• …and here’s 5 good reasons to download it (PC World)

Happy Tuesday everyone – enjoy the nice weather!

Looking for the perfect gift for your geeky dad this Father’s Day? Look no further, here are some of the best gifts we’ve discovered…

• 640 GB USB Portable Hard Drive – Leather Wallet (available from VerbatimStore)  “Thin, portable and executive-inspired–the Verbatim Wallet Drive looks like a billfold but holds something even more valuable—your memories and data.”

• Space Invaders furniture – perfect for a game room or ‘man-cave’ (designed by Igor Chak)

• Noise Canceling Headphones (available from Bose) – these are especially great if your dad travels frequently. Comfortable and light, they also come with an airplane adapter.

• Outdoor Inflatable Theater (available from Hammacher Schlemmer) – that’s right, a 72 inch screen frame, weather-resistent PVC construction and it inflates in 5 minutes or less.

Do you have any fun & geeky ideas for Father’s Day? Feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Just as Amazon has released its own version of the Android Marketplace, called the “Appstore”, with 3,800 apps upon launch – they are being sued by Apple for trademark infringement.

Read more in this excerpt from Fast Company:

Apple filed a trademark protection over the phrase “App Store” after the release of the iPhone 3G, making what an independent observer may deem a sensible business move — especially since the App Store is now earning Apple a slight profit, and its archive of apps for iPhone and iPad (and now the Mac too) is an incredibly potent advertising lever.

As a result, the computer giant is now suing to prevent Amazon from using the phrase “Appstore” in any way, including marketing, and is also seeking damages. The accusation is that it’s a direct trademark infringement that may “confuse and mislead customers” according to an Apple spokesperson, which is the kind of half-true legal phrase often trotted out in cases like this.

What results do you think Apple is looking for with this lawsuit?

It’s a rainy Friday here in Connecticut, so here are some links!

• On March 11, 1986 – the NFL starts using instant-replay to review disputed calls during the game (Wired)

• We posted about the Xoom a couple weeks ago – the stats are in and it’s not looking good for Motorola (Crunch Gear)

• Just for fun: The Top 10 Techie Movie Characters, according to CNN (CNN Tech)

• Warner Brothers is the first studio that will offer movie rentals on Facebook (GizMag)

Have a great weekend everyone!